Garment hanger spacing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for spacing garment hangers having suspension hooks on a garment-supporting rod, comprising a flexible strap member having a middle portion, a first end portion with an aperture therethrough, and a second end portion. Clasp means is provided for connecting the strap member end portions together in mutually opposed, downwardly-depending relationship from the garment-supporting rod with the strap member middle portion at least partially encircling the rod. The aperture through the strap member first end portion is adapted for removably receiving a respective garment hanger suspension hook.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to garment hangers, and in particular, to anapparatus for spacing garment hangers having suspension hooks on agarment-supporting rod.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices for spacing garment hangers are well known and a variety ofdesigns have been developed for maintaining a predetermined spacingbetween garments suspended from garment-supporting rods and the like.One type of garment hanger supporting device is illustrated in theSutton U.S. Pat. No. 2,604,999 and comprises a U-shaped bracket withlegs extending downwardly therefrom for placing on a clothesline. Thelonger of the legs has a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough forreceiving the hooks of clothes-hangers. However, such a device isprimarily for use with a substantially straight clothesline and is notreadily adjustable to different lengths. Also, no provision is made forsubdividing the bracket into individual units to be placed betweenrespective pairs of clothes-hangers. The Ivan U.S. Pat. No. 2,920,776also shows a device for use with garment hangers having a plurality ofspaced apertures for receiving the hooks of respective garment hangers.However, this device is also not readily adjustable to different lengthsor separable into individual spacers or retainers. Further, the retainerdisclosed in the Ivan patent is primarily for use with straightgarment-supporting rods as opposed to circular rods.

A different type of apparatus for use with garment hangers, asexemplified in the Wheeler U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,358, comprises anattachment for the hook portion of an individual garment hanger. Thegarment hanger hooks are then placed over a garment-supporting rod in aconventional fashion with the attachments thereon. However, theindividual attachments as shown therein are not interconnected formaintaining a predetermined spacing between adjacent garment hangers.Also, the garment hanger attachments according to the Wheeler patent arenot designed to be fixedly attached to the garment-supporting rod andare thus subject to being lost or misplaced.

Prior art devices for use with garment hangers tended to be eitheradapted primarily for attachment to individual garment hangers andremovable therewith, or of a predetermined length and adapted forattachment to straight garment-supporting rods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the practice of the present invention, an apparatus for spacinggarment hangers having suspension hooks on a garment-supporting rod isprovided which is adapted for use either as a continuous strip ofjuxtaposed strap members for attachment to a straight garment-supportingrod or as a plurality of individual strap members removably attached toa garment-supporting rod having either a straight or curvilinearconfiguration. The individual strap members are adapted for receivingthe hooks of garment hangers either attached thereto or placedtherebetween over the rod. Each strap member includes a first endportion with an aperture therethrough for receiving the hook of agarment hanger and a second end portion. Clasp members are positioned onthe end portions and are mutually attachable for connecting the endportions together in mutually opposed, downwardly-depending relationshipfrom the garment-supporting rod with a strap member middle portion atleast partially encircling the rod.

The juxtaposed, connected strap members comprise a continuous, elongatedstrip of flexible material with outer margins. Each of the outer marginshas a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches extending inwardlytherefrom. The strip is divided by a plurality of transverse tear lineseach extending across the strip between a respective opposed pair of thenotches.

The spacing apparatus of the present invention is particularly adaptablefor attaching and spacing conventional hangers to garment-supportingrods of different lengths and configurations. Versatility in use isachieved because the strap members may be positioned together incontinuous, juxtaposed relationship for suspending garment hangers belowthe garment-supporting rod in a predetermined spaced relationship, orthe continuous strip may be subdivided at a transverse tear line toachieve an appropriate length for a given clothes-supporting rod.Alternatively, the strip may be separated at its tear lines intoindividual strap members which may then be attached to a clothes rod,including one with a curvilinear configuration. Garment hangers areplaced therebetween over the garment-supporting rod or their suspensionhooks are removably inserted in respective apertures through endportions of the strap members.

A modified embodiment of the present invention includes spacer membersattached to the individual strap members to prevent entanglementtherebetween. The spacer members also maintain garment hanger suspensionhooks positioned between adjacent strap members.

The continuous strip and the individual strap members are readilyremovable from the garment-supporting rod by detaching clasp memberspositioned on the strap member end portions. Simplicity in manufacturingis achieved since the continuous strip may be stamped or cut from a flatsheet of flexible material in any predetermined length on, for example,a rotary die-cutting machine.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide anapparatus for spacing garment hangers on a garment-supporting rod; toprovide such a spacing apparatus which is adapted for use withgarment-supporting rods having different lengths and either straight orcurvilinear configurations; to provide such a spacing apparatus whichcomprises a strap member with a middle portion and opposite endportions; to provide such a spacing apparatus which includes clasp meansfor attaching the end portions together in mutually opposed,downwardly-depending relationship from the garment-supporting rod; toprovide such a spacing apparatus with an aperture through a first endportion for receiving the suspension hook of a garment hanger; toprovide such a spacing apparatus which comprises a continuous strip ofjuxtaposed strap members demarcated and separable at transverse tearlines; to provide such a spacing apparatus which may be used as either acontinuous strip of juxtaposed strap members or as individual, spacedstrap members; to provide such a spacing apparatus wherein garmenthanger suspension hooks may be suspended from or placed between strapmembers; to provide such a spacing apparatus which remains attached to agarment-supporting rod when a respective garment hanger is removedtherefrom; to provide such a spacing apparatus which includes a spacerattached to each strap member for preventing entanglement betweenadjacent strap members and garment hangers, and to provide such aspacing apparatus which is economical to manufacture, efficient in use,capable of a long operating life and particularly well adapted for theproposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment hanger spacing apparatusembodying the present invention and attached to a garment-supporting rodwith garment hangers suspended therefrom.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of the spacingapparatus taken generally along line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a continuous strip of the strapmembers, particularly showing a plurality of transverse tear lines andfirst and second clasp members.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the spacing apparatus with theindividual strap members separated and having garment hangers positionedtherebetween with their suspension hooks over the garment-supportingrod.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a garment hanger spacing apparatuscomprising a modified embodiment of the present invention with aplurality of strap members having spacer members attached thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower","vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to theinvention as oriented in FIG. 1 for the primary embodiment and asoriented in FIG. 4 for the modified embodiment. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral 1generally designates an apparatus for spacing garment hangers 2 on ahorizontally extending garment-supporting rod 3. The garment hangers 2as shown are of a common type constructed of bent wire and each includesan arcuate suspension hook 5. The arcuate configuration of the hangersuspension hook 5 corresponds to the circular cross-sectionconfiguration of the garment-supporting rod 3. The arcuate configurationof the suspension hook 5 comprises a portion of a circle having aslightly greater diameter than a circle defining the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the rod 3 so that the hook 5 is slidable with respectto the rod 3 when placed thereover.

The spacing apparatus 2 comprises a continuous strip 10 of a resilient,flexible material such as plastic. As shown in FIG. 3, the strip 10 maybe produced from a substantially planar flat sheet of such material andhas a first and a second outer margin 11 and 12 respectively. Aplurality of longitudinally spaced first notches 13 extend inwardly fromthe strip first outer margin 11 and a plurality of notches 14 extendinwardly from the second outer margin 12 and correspond to respectiveopposite first notches 13.

The strip 10 comprises a plurality of juxtaposed transverse strapmembers 20 each having a first end portion 21 at the first outer margin11 and a second end portion 22 at the second outer margin 12. Each strapmember first end portion 21 is adjacent at least one respective firstnotch 13 and each strap member second end portion 22 is adjacent atleast one respective second notch 14. Each strap member 20 includes amiddle portion 23 positioned between its first and second end portions21 and 22 respectively. Each strap member 20 includes a pair of oppositeside edges 27. The strap members 20 are demarcated by and separable at aplurality of transverse tear lines 24 each colinear with a respectivepair of side edges 27 and extending transversely across the strip 10between a pair of opposite first and second notches 13 and 14respectively. Each strap member first end portion 21 includes anaperture 30 therethrough having a slightly greater diameter than thethickness of the suspension hook 5. A first clasp member 31 ispositioned between the aperture 30 and the strap member middle portion23. Each strap member second end portion 22 has a second clasp member 32attached thereto and adapted for being attachably connected to arespective first clasp member 21.

The strap members 20 are attached to the garment-supporting rod 5 byplacing their respective middle portions 23 against thegarment-supporting rod 3 and squeezing together their respective endportions 21 and 22 so that the strap member middle portion 23 at leastpartially encircles the rod 3. The clasp member 31 and 32 are detachablysnapped together whereby the opposite end portions 21 and 22 areconnected together in mutually opposing, downwardly dependingrelationship by their first and second clasp members 31 and 32respectively. With the strap member end portions 21 and 22 thusconnected, the strap member second end portion 22 terminates in spacedrelation above the aperture 30. The aperture 3 is thus adapted toreceive a garment hanger suspension hook 5 therethrough whereby arespective garment hanger 2 may be suspended from each strap member 20in spaced relation below the garment-supporting rod 5. The spacingapparatus 1 may be used as a continuous strip 10 of the strap members 20and the strip 10 may be subdivided at any transverse tear line 24 to adesired length to accomodate a particular garment-supporting rod. Thus,the continuous strip 10 of juxtaposed strap members 20 is readilyadaptable to extend substantially the entire length of anygarment-supporting rod 3. Also, the continuous strip 10 is separable atany transverse tear line 24 to accomodate, for example, a rod-supportingbracket (not shown) placed at an intermediate position along the lengthof a respective garment-supporting rod 3 to prevent sagging thereof. Asshown in FIG. 1, each strap member 2 of the continuous strip 10 isadapted for supporting a respective garment hanger 2 having itssuspension hook 5 extended through the first end portion aperture 30.The garment hangers 2 are thus maintained in spaced relationshipdepending downwardly below and supported by the rod 3. The predeterminedspacing of the garment hangers thus achieved by the spacing apparatus 1of the present invention functions to prevent entanglement therebetweenand also facilitate the removal of garments placed on the hangers,because the hangers are prevented for becoming tightly bunched togetherwhereby little or no space is provided between garments to facilitatetheir removal or insertion in closets, clothes racks and the like.

Alternatively, the strip 10 may be subdivided along its transverse tearlines 24 into a plurality of separate individual strap members 20 asshown in FIG. 4. The individual strap members 20 may then be utilizedfor maintaining garment hangers 2 in a predetermined spaced relationshipby either placing their suspension hooks 5 in respective apertures 30 orby placing the suspension hooks 5 over the rod 3 between adjacent strapmember side edges 27 (FIG. 3). The cross-sectional configuration of thestrap members 20 preferably has a greater maximum width than the maximumwidth across the open part of the garment hanger suspension hooks 5whereby the garment hanger suspension hooks 5 are too narrow to beplaced over the strap members 20. Thus, when the garment hangers 2 areplaced on the rod 3 in the manner shown in FIG. 3, they must be placedbetween the respective side edges 27 of adjacent strap member 20,thereby positioning the garment hangers 2 in a predetermined spacingalong the rod 3.

Garment-supporting rods (not shown) having curvilinear or circularconfigurations are frequently encountered in retail clothing outletswhereat articles of clothing are displayed thereon. To accomodate suchcurvilinear rods, the strip 10 is separated into separate, individualstrap members 20 which are attached to the rod and follow its curvature.Garment hangers 2 may be supported by the curvilinear rod by placingtheir suspension hooks 5 either in apertures 30 or over the rod betweenrespective pairs of strap member side edges 27 in the appropriate mannerdescribed herein.

The end portions 21 and 22 of the strap members 20 are detachablyconnected by the clasp members 31 and 32 when the strap members 20 arein their closed positions secured to the rod 3. The strap members 20 areeasily removable from the rod 3 by spreading their end portions 21 and22 outwardly with respect to each other and thus disengaging the claspmembers 31 and 32. However, the spacing apparatus 1, whether attached tothe rod 3 as a continuous strip 10 or as individual strap members 20, isadapted to remain thereon when the garment hangers 2 are removed.Therefore, because the strip 10 or strap members 20 substantiallyencircle the rod 3 in their respective closed positions as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, accidental loss or misplacement is prevented. If desired,the clasp means for securing the end portions 21 and 22 together maycomprise a more permanent type of fastener. Without limitation on thegenerality of useful fastening means, the end portions 21 and 22 may beconnected together by, for example, an adhesive, screws, rivets, or nutsand bolts.

The strap member first end portion 121 has an aperture 130 extendingtherethrough and having a diameter slightly greater than the thicknessof the garment hanger suspension hook 105. A first clasp member 131extends through the strap member first end portion 121 in spacedrelation between the aperture 130 and the strap member middle portion123. A second clasp member (not shown) is positioned on each strapmember second end portion and aligned with a respective first claspmember 131 for removable attachment thereto when the end portions 121and 122 are positioned in mutually opposed, downwardly-dependingrelationship from the rod 103. With the strap members 120 in theirclosed positions as shown in FIG. 5, the strap member middle portions123 substantially encircle the rod 103.

A pair of spacer members 140 are attached to the middle portion 123 ofeach strap member 120. Each spacer member 140 includes a horizontal baseportion 141 attached to a respective strap member 120 and an uprightportion 142 integrally connected to the base portion 141 and extendingupwardly therefrom at a substantially right angle with respect to thebase portion 141. Each upright portion 142 includes a vertical face 143positioned flush with a respective strap member opposite side edge 127and extending upwardly therefrom. The spacer members 140 are adapted toprevent adjacent strap members 120 from overlapping each other wherebygarments and garment hangers 102 suspended therebelow could becomeentangled or closely packed.

The spacer members 140 are particularly useful with the spacingapparatus 101 when the garment supporting rod 103 has a substantiallysmaller diameter than that of the strap member middle portions in theirclosed positions, whereby a substantial gap is created between the strapmembers 120 and the garment-supporting rod 103. In such an application,the vertical faces 143 of adjacent spacer members 140 abut and thespacer members 140 prevent adjacent strap members 120 from overlappingeach other. The strap member opposite side edges 127 are thus maintainedin abutting relationship with the garment hangers 102 suspended by theirhooks 105 in respective apertures 130 in a predetermined spacing.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the spacer members 140 may beemployed to prevent the suspension hooks 105 placed over the rod 103from being inadvertently pushed up onto adjacent strap member middleportions 123. The suspension hooks 105 are thus maintained in apredetermined spacing between respective pairs of adjacent spacer membervertical faces 143 and strap member side edges 127.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and describedcertain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specificforms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. Anapparatus for spacing garment hangers having suspension hooks on agarment-supporting rod, which comprises:(a) a continuous elongated stripof flexible material having a first and a second outer margin positionedopposite with respect to each other, each of said outer margins having aplurality of longitudinally evenly spaced notches extending inwardlytherefrom; (b) a transverse tear line extending across said stripbetween a respective corresponding opposite pair of said notches; (c)said strip comprising a plurality of juxtaposed, transverse strapmembers, each of said strap members having:(1) a middle portion; (2) afirst end portion positioned adjacent said first outer margin and havinga hook-receiving aperture therethrough for receiving a respectivegarment hanger suspension hook and a first clasp member aperturetherethrough positioned inwardly of said hook-receiving aperture; and(3) a second end portion positioned adjacent said second outer marginand having a second clasp member aperture therethrough; (d) a pluralityof first clasp members each positioned in a respective first claspmember aperture; and (e) a plurality of second clasp members eachpositioned in a respective second clasp member aperture; (f) said striphaving an open flat position with a substantially planar configurationand a closed position with said strap middle portions substantiallyencircling said garment-supporting rod, said clasp member aperturesaligned and each said second clasp member being attached to a respectivefirst clasp member whereby respective strap member first and second endportions are connected in mutually opposed, downwardly-dependingrelationship from said garment-supporting rod.
 2. The spacing apparatusas set forth in claim 1 which includes:(a) a pair of spacer membersattached to each said strap middle portion, each of said spacer memberscomprising:(1) a horizontal base member positioned on said strap membermiddle portion and attached thereto and an upright member integrallyconnected to said base member and extending therefrom in a directionsubstantially normal to said strap member middle portion, said uprightmember having a vertical face.
 3. An apparatus for spacing garmenthangers having suspension hooks on a garment-supporting rod, whichcomprises:(a) a continuous elongated strip of flexible material havingfirst and second outer margins positioned opposite with respect to eachother, each of said outer margins having a plurality of longitudinallyevenly spaced notches extending inwardly therefrom; (b) said stripcomprising a plurality of juxtaposed, transverse strap members separablewith respect to each other by transversely cutting said strip betweenrespective opposite corresponding pairs of said notches, each of saidstrap members having:(1) a middle portion; (2) a first end portionpositioned at said first outer margin, said first end portion having ahook-receiving aperture therethrough for receiving a respective garmenthanger suspension hook and a first clasp member aperture therethroughpositioned inwardly of said hook-receiving aperture; and (3) a secondend portion positioned adjacent said second outer margin and having asecond clasp member aperture therethrough; and (c) a plurality ofmechanical fasteners for detachably securing respective correspondingopposite strap member end portions together, each said mechanicalfastener including:(1) a first clasp member positioned in a respectivefirst clasp member aperture; and (2) a second clasp member positioned ina respective second clasp member aperture; (d) said strip having an openflat position with a substantially planar configuration and a closedposition with said strap middle portions substantially encircling saidgarment-supporting rod, said clasp member apertures aligned and eachsaid second clasp member being attached to a respective first claspmember whereby said respective strap member first and second endportions are detachably connected in mutually opposed,downwardly-depending relationship from said garment-supporting rod. 4.The spacing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes:(a) atransverse tear line extending across said strip between a respectiveopposite corresponding pair of said notches, said strip being separablealong said tear line.
 5. The spacing apparatus as set forth in claim 3wherein:(a) said strip in its closed position is longitudinally bendableto accommodate a curvilinear garment-supporting rod without separatingsaid strap members.